Saft delivers high-power Li-ion storage system to SAET for integration in Enel's Italian distribution network

Saft, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, is providing a high power lithium-ion (Li-ion) energy storage set of batteries in the system (ESS) of SAET to support the integration of renewable energy resources in Enel Distribuzione's network in southern Italy. The order for the system, capable of delivering 2 MW of power and 1 MWh of energy storage, was placed by SAET, the Padova-based specialist in the supply of systems and installations for the production, transmission and distribution of power. The Saft Li-ion batteries will be installed and commissioned at a primary substation serving the Puglia region in Autumn 2013. SAET has been operating for over fifty years in the Energy field, in systems and plants for the production, the transmission and the distribution of electric energy, by power plants, utilities and industrial plants. The main experiences in this field are: turnkey H.V. substations, MV-LV distribution systems, protection metering & control systems, electric network supervision SCADA and DCS and PLC control systems. "Since the very first contacts Saft's well proven experience and high level Li-ion battery technology impressed SAET as strong skills for this high profile Enel project that will provide an important reference for the installation of a turnkey megawatt-scale ESS in a commercial application" says Barbara Rossi, SAET Business Development Manager. Energy storage offers an alternative approach to enabling the grid integration of renewables compared with major investments in infrastructure upgrades, such as uprating transformers. In this case, the Puglia primary substation is located in an area with a high level of inherently variable and intermittent renewable energy resources, which can cause grid issues such as reverse power flows on the high voltage/medium voltage transformers. The Saft ESS will reduce the variability of power flow as well as making the energy exchange profile between the substation and Italy's national grid more controllable and predictable. Saft will provide the high power Li-ion battery energy storage system to SAET, who are Enel's turnkey provider for the containerized battery and PCS (power conditioning system), the grid connection, systems controls and energy management system, as well as system installation and commissioning. Following the delivery of several containerized energy storage systems in North America and Europe, namely a 3 MWh contract with Endesa, the Enel-owned utility in Spain, this is Saft's first high power megawatt-scale ESS battery project in Italy. This is one of the 3 ESS initial projects funded by the POI Energy (Interregional Operative Program 2007- 2013) in Puglia, Calabria and Sicily Regions. The POI Energy supports efforts to improve efficiency, energy savings and the production of renewable energy resources through national and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) contributions assigned to Enel Distribution from the Ministry of Economic Development. Enel Distribuzione, part of the multi-national Enel Group, is responsible for the distribution of electricity to 85% percent of all Italian customers. Enel is a major player in energy storage, with 7 EU projects over 10 being Enel-led projects in Italy. The aim of these projects is to help the country's distribution grid adapt to the massive integration of renewables, which reached a total of 23.8 GW in 2012, of which 14.8 GW was solar photovoltaic (PV), mainly in the south. Saft